MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WALDITCH ON MONDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2004.
Present: Mrs Regan (Chair), Mrs England MBE, Mr Matthews.
In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Mr Dennis, Mr Harrison, Miss Brown.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th November 2004 having been circulated to all members were corrected and then accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLORS.
Mr David Stubbs, a resident of the Bothenhampton part of the parish, having put himself forward for co-option at the last meeting, was proposed as a new member by Mrs Regan, to represent Walditch. This was seconded by Mr Matthews and Mrs England voted in favour. Mr Stubbs joined the other councillors at the table and he signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The clerk gave him a Register of Interests form for completion within 28 days.
Mrs Regan informed the meeting that Silvia Kirkpatrick, a resident of Bothenhampton, and Alan Stenning, a resident of Walditch, had expressed an interest in serving as members of the council, representing their own respective parts of the parish. Mrs Regan invited them to say a few words about this, which they did.
Mrs Regan proposed that Mrs Kirkpatrick and Mr Stenning be co-opted onto the council at the next meeting. This was seconded by Mr Matthews and Mrs England voted in favour.
4. MATTERS ARISING.
None.
5. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.12pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.21pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
Admiral Pritchard had nothing to report and gave his apologies for the January 2005 meeting. Mr Tett reported that a Scrutiny Group had been set up to review car-parking charges in the District. Charges are likely to rise; Chambers of Trade and Parish Councils are being consulted. He remarked that the permanent mobile phone mast at The Hyde in Walditch is entirely visible above the trees to the whole of Bridport. Mrs Regan informed the meeting that the parish council had received no objections from parishioners at all. Mr Tett informed the meeting that the 2005-6 Council Tax will be set at a February meeting of WDDC.
7. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.
In response to a comment made in the Democratic Half Hour, Mr Roberts informed the meeting that Susan Anders, the Community Partnership Development Officer at BTC had attended meetings of this parish council, but that he will ask her to keep in touch should the council require her services. Mr Roberts referred to the Dorchester Transport Plan - parishes had objected to it and it may be modified.
8. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
Mr Coatsworth confirmed that Dorset is the worst funded County Council in the U.K.; the formula is based on house values. Current under-funding is estimated at £78 per head, which equates to a total of £31 million. Extra grant has been sent form central government, but 93% of this must go directly to schools. DCC is now permitted to borrow money to fund its activities rather than rely on revenue alone. Mr Coatsworth mentioned some areas where DCC had made savings, including various educational establishments becoming self-supporting. The largest increase in spending has been within the Social Services Department, for example in the cost of running nursing and residential homes. The likely increase in the County Council part of the Council Tax is likely to be 3.5% to 5% next year, less then in previous years. Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that, when Magna Housing withdraws from 'The Foyer' in Bridport, DCC might intervene to continue the service through a different provider. Regarding bus stops along Sea Road South, as WATAG is pursuing re-routing of the buses, Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that he is withdrawing from this issue at present.
9. PLANNING.
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/002218 - 18 Maple Gardens: Erect single storey extension: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
1/W/04/001961 - 7 Crock Lane: Renewal of 1/W/2002/0103 Develop land by demolition of existing building & erection of 2 dwellings: No Comment.
1/W/04/002180 - 23 Mount Joy: Erect front & rear single storey extensions: No Comment.
1/W/04/001973 - 8 Nordons: Erect extensions: No Comment.
1/W/04/002155 - 12 Elwell: Erect extension & two dormer windows: No Comment.
1/W/04/001680 - 18 North Hill Way: Erect extension & conservatory: neighbour(s) in Mount Joy should be consulted by WDDC.
1/W/04/001898 - Eastwood, Burton Road: Demolish existing bungalow & erect replacement bungalow & double garage:
1. The plans do not show any measurements, which has made the parish council's assessment difficult.
2. The proposed new dwelling will overlook the neighbouring one, Barn Close, to an unacceptable extent, with its kitchen, dining room & conservatory overlooked.
3. Springfield, next door, will also be overlooked.
4. The proposed brickwork will not be in-keeping with neighbouring properties.
5. Other than the choice of brickwork, comments would be withdrawn should the proposed dwelling be built on the site of the existing one, after demolition, as the existing property does not overlook the others. Cannot this be arranged?
6. Refusal recommended on 16 November.
The clerk informed the meeting that this application was withdrawn on 24 November.
At this point, Mr Matthews left the meeting.
1/W/04/1930 - 30 Pasture Way: Erect extension: Ensure building line is not breached. Amended plan received and passed to Mrs Regan for information.
DCC: Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Works, Burton Road: erection of polymer kiosk: passed to Mrs England for comment.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/001680 - 18 North hill Way (as above): Permission granted.
1/W/04/001961 - 7 Crock Lane (as above): Approval given.
DCC: None.
Trees: Badly decayed beech tree at The Hyde residential home, Walditch: permission granted to remove it for safety reasons.
The clerk gave Mrs Regan his copy of the Tree Preservation Order raised for the Willowmead development on Lansdowne Road.
Mrs England raised the issue of notices not being displayed outside properties for which planning applications had been submitted. Mr Roberts was invited to reply on behalf of WDDC. He explained that, to save money, notices are not always displayed, though letters are still sent to each potentially affected neighbour and applications are publicised in the local newspaper. He believed that aerial photographs are used to determine which neighbours should be contacted.
10. FINANCE
A] Statement of Account as at 30 November 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (November)…...…………..……..……..£242.33
Bothenhampton Village Hall (hire & fine)……………..£25.00
Walditch Village Hall (hire)…………………………….£15.00
Bridport Town Council (excess rent on allotments)…....£34.50
Mrs Regan proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mrs England and approved by Mr Stubbs.
Mrs Regan will ask for a demonstration on turning off the fires in Bothenhampton Village Hall.
11. POSSIBLE GRANTS RE: VITAL VILLAGES PROJECTS.
(This item was brought forward on the agenda and discussed prior to Planning).
Mrs England reported that she had attended a meeting regarding Parish Plans and WDDC's involvement in them. A WDDC representative advised the meeting that £40,000 is available as grant, some £20,000 of this for parishes which have already produced a Parish Plan and wish to implement some of the recommendations and aspirations contained within it. The maximum amount of grant per scheme is £2,000. Mrs England and Mrs Regan will organise a meeting with DCA to further this opportunity, firstly establishing whether, having produced two separate Plans, this council might be eligible for two grants. Mrs Regan proposed that, in January 2005, a meeting should be arranged at her house between herself, Mrs England, representatives of the three residents' associations and compilers of the Parish Plans to discuss what to include in any grant application. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by both of the other councillors. Mrs Regan allowed a suggestion to be made by Mr Roberts that WDDC should be sent a further copy of each Parish Plan. Mrs Regan agreed to arrange this.
12. BUDGET & PRECEPT 2005-6.
The clerk distributed a spreadsheet showing current bank balances, expenditure year-to-date and proposed expenditure to the financial year-end. A suggested budget for 2005-6 was also included. Mrs Regan took copies for Mr Matthews, Mr Harrison & Mr Dennis and proposed that the budget & Precept be set at the next meeting, when all councillors would have absorbed the information provided. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by Mr Stubbs.
13. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
None.
14. PARISH MATTERS.
Street Lighting - Mrs England enquired as to when the lighting columns in Manor Fields are being replaced. The clerk replied that he has not been informed of this. It was believed that local residents will be informed nearer the time.
Play Areas - Mrs Regan reported that the maintainers of the John Holt Play Area have, as part of their repair program, in-filled the hole in the surface, caused by vandalism. She also noted that the grass has grown considerably and proposed a further cut. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by Mr Stubbs, who will contact David Landscapes accordingly.
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circulars 20/04 & 21/04 were referred to by the clerk, the first of which referred to the possible introduction of legislation to empower parish councils to issue fixed penalty fines to those dropping litter, causing excessive noise etc. The clerk distributed copies of the latest DAPTC newsletter.
Other - Mrs England attended a meeting to discuss foul smells recently emitted from the Wessex Water Sewage Works. The meeting was poorly attended and monitoring will continue.
Mrs Regan proposed that village halls should be booked for two hours in future, rather than three, to reduce costs, it being some months since a meeting had exceeded two hours. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by Mr Stubbs.
13. CORRESPONDENCE.
WDDC: Half-year report on Performance Plan 2004; Sports Newsletter.
DCC: Notice of public meetings to discuss council tax issues in Dorset; letter re Dorset Health Gain Fellowships; Mobile Library Service timetable April 2005-6; "Caring Matters" Social Services newsletter;
Defra: "Rural Services Review".
TUC: Letter ref relaunch of Dorchester Committee.
CPRE: "Fieldwork" newsletter.
Open Spaces Society: Letter ref court action over Wisley Common.
Oliver Letwin M.P.: Annual Report.
Bothenhampton Village Hall: notice of increased hire charges.
The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, January 10th 2005.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.30pm. Mrs Regan, on behalf of the council, wished everyone present a happy Christmas.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:
1. Walditch Parish Plan - implementation of recommendations
2. Blocked drain on Walditch Road
3. Walditch Village Green - maintenance of shrubbery etc
4. Tipping on Walditch Road